Richard Lee, 1939-2014

Published 9:00 am Sunday, December 7, 2014

Richard Delane Lee of Sun City West, Ariz., and Indianola, Wash., died peacefully at his home Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, surrounded by loved ones after a long struggle with multiple system atrophy.

Richard Lee

Dick was born in Albert Lea. He graduated from Albert Lea High School before joining the U.S. Navy. He earned a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology from Mankato State University (presently Minnesota State) in Mankato and a minor in theater. He had a long career in agribusiness and traveled the world working for Archer Daniels Midland Company of Decatur, Ill., and later worked for Ag Processing Inc. (AGP) in Omaha before retiring.

Throughout the years Dick was an avid runner and completed many marathons and other running races; he enjoyed playing golf and sailing. He liked traveling, going to the theater and blues concerts. He found much joy in creating things with his hands — pottery, stained glass, oil paintings and drawings. He was actively involved in Sun City West Clay Club and Port Townsend Yacht Club where he and his wife, Sheila, kept their sailboat in Port Townsend, Wash.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sheila Loseke, Lee of Sun City West; his three children, Andreas D. Lee of Boulder, Colo., (wife Laura); Cayman Lee Campbell of Boulder (husband Casey), Jason D. Lee of Los Angeles (wife Yvonne); his two stepsons Zachary Jacobson of Chicago (wife Tally) and Nicholas Jacobson (fiancé Alyssa) of Seattle; as well as nine grandchildren. He is also survived by his four brothers, Simon (wife Arlene), Kenneth (wife Darlene), Charles (wife Beatrice) and Gary (wife Mona).

He is preceded in death by his parents Simon and Ellen; his two sisters, Joyce and Beulah; and his ex-wife, Pamela Andreas.

A celebration of Dick’s life will take place at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 11 at Briarwood Country Club in Sun City West. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hospice of the Valley or The Sun City West Foundation.